2024 promises to be an eventful year in the auto world

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Another year is disappearing in the rearview mirror, and the road ahead is packed with adventures, challenges and change.

In 2024, we can expect a year of political storms at the presidential level.  In Paris, a summer Olympics awaits.  In America, a lot of people are making money.  Others are struggling amid lingering inflation.  And on the automotive front, great movements are occurring.

Electric cars continue to come off assembly lines in huge numbers.  And there are so many variations of hybrid vehicles now that it's hard to keep up with what is out there.

Will U.S. automakers be able to hold serve with increasing competition overseas? Will a breakthrough, smashing success of a vehicle debut next year?

American auto workers took action and won economic gains in 2023.  And yet, they're rightfully concerned about computerized machines and AI taking over what were once paid positions for human beings.

There's no shortage of incredible motor vehicles on the market.  The technology that provides enhanced security, safety, comfort and convenience is often mind-blowing.  It's evolving at a rate unprecedented in automotive history.

Simply said, 2024 promises to be an eventful year.  I'll do my best to keep pace with it and offer fair assessments of the vehicles that come my way.

Most of all, I want to thank all of those who have faithfully read my words, dating back years.  Your feedback has made me a better observer.

I wish everyone health, happiness and prosperity in the year ahead.  I'll be seeing you down the road.

Expedition is ideal for those with big holiday plans

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- It's the holiday season and, well, I need some space in my test vehicles. I imagine Santa confronts this all the time.

Thankfully, I recently took delivery of a 2023 Ford Expedition Platinum 4X4, a full-size sport-ute with the cargo-carrying capacity of a mule train.  Ah, problem solved.

Over the years, the Expedition has taken its lumps as a big, gas-guzzling bruiser.  But let's face it, some households (and businesses) have the need for a vehicle of this size. You can't transport a soccer team and all of its equipment in a Honda Civic, after all.

And in numerous ways, the Expedition has a lot going for it.

For example, a suite of max five-start federal crash test ratings stands out.  That includes five stars on the overall score.

And while one might expect the fuel mileage on this three-row SUV to be horrendous, it actually comes in at a fairly surprising 16 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.

Power comes from a 3.5-liter turbo V-6 rated at a salty 400 horsepower. Torque is equally saucy at 480 foot-pounds at a mere 2,250 revolutions per minute.  Simply put, power is not a problem.

The tester dug in hard off the line and quickly sprinted into tight spots on the freeway.  Steering was surprisingly light for such a large vehicle.  It can be one-handed in a crowded parking lot.

The biggest benefit, of course, is how much it can carry.  And carry with ease, I might add. Let's start with eight normal-size human beings.  Even packed to the max, there's room to stretch those legs.

Cargo volume behind the first row of seats far exceeds 100 cubic feet, so load those holiday gifts for everybody in one trip.  Need a sizable trailer for the out-of-town presents? The Expedition can be easily set up for that errand as well.

Throw in a monster-size list of functional/safety/comfort/convenience features -- which boosted the bottom line on the tester to $87,345 -- and you have the holiday season transporter of your dreams.

For busy lifestyles and hard-working folks, the Expedition can do large duty for them 52 weeks a year.  Speaking of which, hope all of you have a happy and prosperous year ahead in 2024.

Chevy's Colorado pickup is the boss of the roadways

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Chevrolet reworked its midsize Colorado pickup from bumper to bumper for 2023.  The result: A better truck from front to back.

Better? How to count the ways.  Let's start with styling.

If it's possible for a midsize pickup to look like a muscular, full-size truck, Chevrolet somehow pulled it off.  The wrap-around, split-level grille convinces the eye that this is the work site warrior you've been looking for.  The compact bed reminds that it's ready for lighter suburban duty as well.

My tester, a 2023 Colorado 4WD Trail Boss Crew Cab, was particularly attractive in "Glacier Blue Metallic" paint.  Folks literally stopped in their tracks to remark on it.

Inside, a driver-friendly layout of controls goes above and beyond the usual truck fare.  Particularly striking is the 11.3-inch diagonal color LCD display.  It took me a little study time to master all that it does.  Once mastered, it's an easy-to-read and convenient-to-use touchscreen device.

On the fly, power was provided by a 2.7-liter "Turbo Plus" engine rated at 310 horsepower. Some pickups take their noisy time getting up to cruising speed.  Not this one.

Accelerations from a standstill pressed me pleasingly into my seat, and the tester was perfectly balanced even as I performed the hardest of standing starts.  In freeway traffic, the Colorado was nimble, and dare I say, light to the touch.  Kudos to Chevy engineers on the chassis/suspension set-up.

Fuel mileage was 17 miles per gallon in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.  The bottom line on the sticker was $41,055 -- a fair number given the lengthy list of standard features on the truck.

I've discovered that size matters in the world of trucks.  Some neighbors felt that my tester was simply not big enough.  I'm guessing they are spoiled by the tons of monster-size trucks on the roads.

I get it.  But here's the thing:  Not everybody needs a big-as-a-building pickup priced at $65,000.  Maybe all they want is a functional pickup that is easy to handle, and capable of hauling the occasional big cargo load.

This Colorado -- named Motor Trend's 2024 Truck of the Year at this writing -- can do all that.  And look good doing it.

Sporty Lexus RC 350 reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2023 Lexus RC 350 F Sport AWD sports car can be seen in the latest, December 2023, edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news and marketplace."

The "Hot Laps" reviews, along with my "Oil Drips" observations on anything with wheels, appear monthly in the publication.

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